John V. Hogan kept a diary between January 1 and December 31, 1868. Entries included activities for each day of the year spent either in St. Louis or travelling to New Orleans for their honeymoon and to New York. There are also notes and lists on the front and back covers and on the end papers. Hogan listed receipts and expenses for each day.

The diary documented the Hogan’s wedding in Illinois and their honeymoon trip to New Orleans in January 1868. John described their travel down the Mississippi River and the sights they saw, commenting on the effects of the Civil War in the south such as the desolation and deserted plantations. Once the couple reached New Orleans, they toured the city, attended the Agricultural and Mechanical Fair, and saw a performance at a theatre managed by St. Louis theatre icon Ben DeBar. Hogan also noted that New Orleans was “a place where all theatres, stores, and markets are open on Sundays.”

Unfortunately, Cora caught a fever while on their trip. Once they returned to St. Louis, a doctor diagnosed her illness as pneumonia. Hogan often commented on the state of her health throughout their first year together.

From January through May, Hogan sporadically mentioned working on Hogan v. Pile, however, he did not explain his tasks. On March 10th, he mentions that he made a list of conservatives who supposedly voted for Pile and on July 11th, he received the majority opinion in the case but provided no details.

Hogan’s entries while in St. Louis recited his daily activities as they related to his business interests. He often went downtown and visited the assessor’s office, the collector’s office, the coal office, and the business owned by his brother-in-law, Simon Boogher of Boogher Bros. The coal office referred to the Chester & Chicago Branch Junction railroad in Illinois, where he assisted his father and his partners: Alfred Clapp, Madison Miller, and Frank H. Fletcher. In September, Hogan attained positions with the National Insurance Company and the Homeopathic Life Insurance Company which demanded more of his time as the year drew to a close.

On June 24th, the Hogans and Belle, presumably Cora’s sister Annabella, left St. Louis for New York. Hogan described their many stops and family visits along the way, also seeing his father. Hogan visited his friend Ashcroft (no first name given) in Syracuse and then returned to St. Louis, leaving Cora and Belle in New Jersey until their return on September 22nd. On November 3rd, the couple moved into their new home.